Switch mechanism for x-ray machines



W. C. DEE

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR X-RAY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. 1919.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. DEE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

' SWITCH MECHANISM FOR X-RAY MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

Application filed October 4, 1919. Serial No. 328,434.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM G. Unit, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Mechanism for X-Ray Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly to switches for X-ray machines.

X-ray machines, especially those employing a Coolidge tube, utilize two distinct electrical circuits, to wit, a high tension circuit for providing the electrical discharge through .the tube, and a circuit of low voltage for heating the cathode for determining and varying the strength of current and the quantity of rays emanated. p

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved aerial or overhead switch for X-ray machines, said switch enabling either of two X-ray machines to be connected at will to the same circuits, to thereby enable X-ray Work to be carried on at one machine while preparing a subject 7 at the second machine. A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of this kind which is of simple construction, is simple to operate, and which in one operation takes care of both circuits to the machines and at the same time avoids the production of corona and therefore secures high efficiency.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

The invention comprises the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, which represent one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a broken out perspective view; and Fig. 2

is a sectional elevation through one of the 45.

three switch members.

The switch shown in the drawings comprises a suitable support designed for suspension from an overhead member, such as the ceiling, and carrying the operating parts of the mechanism. In the form illustrated this support comprises a hollow casing 1 carried by rods 2 depending from and secured to the ceiling or other overhead member. The casing 1 may be made of any suitable material, but preferably is of insulating material, such as wood or the like.

It serves not only as a support but also to inclose the operating parts of the mechanism and to properly space and aline the several switch members with relation to each other.

The switch mechanism illustrated includes three distinct switch members, all cooperatively related to each other for simultaneous control and properly associated in pairs for controlling the two X-ray tube circuits above referred to. The three switch mem bers are all of the same construction and detailed arrangement, so that description of one will suflice for all, their cooperative relationship being hereafter described.

Referring to Fig. 2, each of the three switch members shown comprises a suitable frame including four hollow insulating tubular arms, marked 3, 14, 1S and 18, radiating from a common center where they are sleeved upon projecting portions of a central frame member 4 made of suitable conducting material, such as bronze or the like. This central frame member comprises a cylindrical portion 5 of proper size to receive and inclose a gear or pinion 6, also formed of conducting material and rigidly secured to an operating member, such as the insulating tube 7 The upwardly projecting portion of the frame member 4, indicated at 8, which carries the upper tubular arm 3 is an integral part of said frame member and is threaded to receive a rod 9 threaded at its outer end into a threaded opening in a conducting ball 10 cemented or otherwise secured to the outer end of the upper insulating arm 3. By screwing this ball 10 onto the rod 9 the upper tube 3 is securely fastened to the frame member 4 and electrical connection is established from the ball 10 to the frame member.

The downwardly projecting portion of the frame member 4, indicated at 11, is also an integral part of said frame member and is of tubular form. Into the outer end of said tube is threaded a rod 12 to the outer end of which is connected a conducting ball 13 secured to the lower tubular arm 14. This arrangement secures the lower arm in place and establishes electrical connection from the lower ball to the central frame. In the hollow member 11 is a light compression spring 15 which at one end abuts the rod 12 and at its opposite end presses against a metallic button 16 which engages the lower fiat surface of a rack 17 having teeth upon its upper face meshing with the teeth of gear 6, and which rack is slidable back and forth horizontally in the horizontally extending tubular arms 18, each of which is cemented or otherwise secured at its inner end to a horizontal projection 19 of the central frame member.

The horizontal tubular arms 18 are threaded at their outer ends to recelve conducting balls 20 each of which is provided with a threaded opening carrying an 1nwardly extending contact member 21 adapted to receive and be embraced by a pair of spring contacts 22 on the adjacent end of the rack 17.

The four balls 10, 13, 20 and 20 have their threaded openings extendingentirely through said balls so that each ball is adapted to receive interchangeably either a binding screw 22* as indicated on ball 13, or a connector 23 having a hollow sleeve portlon provided with a threaded opening in its side for a set screw 24 and a larger opening 25 through which wires may be threaded. The balls 10, 13, 20 and 20 may also be prov ded with threaded laterally extending openings for contact screws 26, whose purpose w1ll appear.

Three switch members of the form illustrated are assembled together in the inclos ing casing 1 in such position that their central frame members 4 are in axial alinement with each other. The central insulating rod or tube 7 carries three of the gears 6, one for each of the switch members, said gears being secured and spaced upon the tube in the proper positions for the particular spacing of the switch members relative to each other. Each gear rotates and is guided and supported in the cylindrical portion of the frame member 4 of its particular switch member. One end of said tube 7 may extend outwardly from the casing 1 and is provided with suitable means for operating the switches, such as the pulley 27 around which is wound an operating cord 28, the ends of which are passed through eyes 29 on the casing. The cord is usually fastened at one point to the pulley and wrapped several times around the same. Consequently by pulling on one or the other of the depending ends of said cord shaft 7 may be rotated in either direction, as desired. Rotation of said shaft causes sliding movement of the rack 17 in the horizontally extending arms of the switch member to thereby open or close the circuits in one direction or the other. For example, in Fig. 2 the left-hand contacts are closed and if the shaft is rotated in the counter clockwise direction the left-hand contacts will be separated and the right-hand contacts closed.

As before stated, the present switch mechanism includes three switch members similar to that shown in Fig. 2 all associated with and operated by the same shaft 7. These three switch members are respectively indicated at A, B and C. Switches A and B are fairly close. to ether and form one pair, while switches and C are widely separated and form a second pair.

In completing the circuits, conduits or pipes, indicated at 30, are led into the vertical arms of the switch members A, C and, as shown, into the upwardly extending arms, although connection may be established to the downwardly extending arms by substituting connectors 23 for the screws 22 shown. Similar horizontal conduits 31 extend outwardly from the horizontal arms of the switch members A and C. These conduits are of conducting material and themselves form conductors for the high tension circuit to the Coolidge tube. One of the conduits, such as the one connected to the switch A, also serves as a container for two lead wires 32, which pass through said conduit to the connector 23 and are lead outwardly through the opening 25 in the side of the connector and are separately connected by the screws 26 to the balls 10 of the switch members A and B. Conduits 31 contain similar pairs of wires connected to the balls 20 on the respective horizontal arms of the switch members. With this arrangement the switches A and 13 control not only the low voltage circuit but switch A also controls one lead of the high tension circuit, while switch C controls the second lead thereof.

By separating switches A and C and conducting the high tension current through conductors of fairly large surface area all corona effect is avoided and the apparatus operates at highest efliciency.

What I claim is 1. An electric switch, comprising a conducting frame adapted for connection to a source of current, an insulating tube, a switch member slidable in said tube and in conducting relation with said frame, and contact devices at the opposite ends of said tube arranged to cooperate with said member and adapted for connection of conductors thereto.

2. An electric switch, comprising a conducting frame provided with a series of outwardly extending insulating arms, current conducting means in said arms, and switch mechanism cooperatively related to said frame.

3. An electric switch, comprising a frame supporting a rotatable shaft, arms radiating from said frame, and slidable switch members in said arms operatively connected to said shaft.

4:. An electric switch, comprising a frame, a pinion rotatable therein, arms extending outwardly in opposite directions from said frame, and a rack slidable in said arms and in operative relation with said pinion.

5. An electric switch, comprising a frame, apinion rotatable therein, arms extending outwardly in opposite directions from said frame, a rack slidable in said arms and in operative relation with said pinion, contacts at the outer ends of said arms, and contacts carried by said rack.

6. Switchmechanism, comprising an operating shaft, a series of frame members spaced along said shaft, arms extending outwardly from each of said frame members, a switch member movable in the arms of each frame member, and an operating connection between said shaft and switch members.

7. Switch mechanism, comprising an operating shaft, a series of frame members spaced along said shaft, arms extending outwardly from each of said frame members, a

switch member movable in the arms of each frame member, and provided with rack teeth, and pinions carried by said shaft and cooperating with said rack teeth.

8. Switch mechanism, comprising an operating shaft, a series of frame members spaced along said shaft, arms extending outwardly from each of said frame members, a switch member movable in the arms of each frame member, and provided with rack teeth, and pinions carried by said shaft and rotatable in said frame members, and cooperating with said rack teeth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM G. DEE. 

